Behind the scenes of the 5.5-hour summit: Decision against a new party in CHP is clear, eyes on the convention calendar

The CHP Party Assembly met at the Headquarters yesterday at 15:40. The meeting, which resumed after a one-hour break at 19:10, concluded at 22:10.

The main agenda items of the meeting, which lasted approximately 5.5 hours, included allegations of "absolute nullity" (invalidity) regarding the 38th Ordinary Convention and the possibility of former Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu returning to office via a court decision. The roadmap that the party management will follow during this process was also comprehensively evaluated.

PM MEMBERS CONSIDERED DIRECT PARTIES TO THE PROCESS

CHP officials pointed out that the Party Assembly (PM) members, who met separately from the group of deputies that gathered in the morning, were also directly affected by the process.

The officials stated, "This decision does not directly affect the deputies, but the convention where the PM was elected has been cancelled. For this reason, the main axis of the meeting was solidarity and struggle. We have been subjected to an injustice, and we will make our voices heard on every platform against it."

Party sources reported that solidarity and the methods of struggle to be followed came to the fore during the meeting.

POLL RESULTS ALSO CAME TO THE AGENDA AT THE MEETING

Party officials stated that according to recent public opinion polls, the CHP's vote share has reached the 35 percent level, while the rival party is in the 30-31 percent band. It was stated that according to these data, the gap between the two parties has increased to 4-5 points.

Evaluating this situation, the officials said, "Erdoğan sees this gap just as we do. If our vote share were around 20 percent and we did not pose a risk to the current order, these decisions would not have been taken. We evaluate what is happening as a pain that our party encounters on its march to power."

DOOR CLOSED ON NEW PARTY FORMULA

One of the topics that came up at the meeting was the allegations regarding the establishment of a new political party. CHP officials stated that evaluations in this direction did not find support.

The officials stated, "The CHP is our ancestral home. We are obliged to protect it. The citizens and delegates tasked us for this. We will not give up the struggle. If necessary, the parliamentary group will hold its own election, and we will use our rights arising from the judiciary to the end."

It was also reported that the majority of the party's approximately 2 million members share the view that "there can be no management without a convention."

Regarding this, the officials evaluated, "Citizens and voters are saying the same thing. The 38th Ordinary Convention has been cancelled, but no matter which delegates are taken as a basis, this process cannot proceed without an election."

ÖZGÜR ÖZEL SHARED HIS CONTACTS REGARDING THE PROCESS

It was stated that CHP Chairman Özgür Özel also gave a comprehensive presentation on the process at the meeting.

It was stated that Özel shared in detail with the PM members the meetings he held after the decision emerged, the names who supported him, and the contacts made. It was also learned that he touched upon the content of his phone conversation with Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu.

The officials evaluated, "Even though he is a chairman whose mandate has been cancelled, Özel's motivation and determination are high. He continues his work at the headquarters without interruption."

POST-HOLIDAY SIGNALED FOR THE CONVENTION

One of the prominent topics of the meeting was the possible convention calendar. Party officials stated that discussions on the chairmanship to be held without taking the will of the delegates would not be legitimate.

In this context, the following statement was shared:

"The charter is clear. The signature of more than half of the delegates is required for an extraordinary elective convention. If a 'convention date' is not announced by the first Monday after the holiday, we will start collecting signatures that day and we will collect far more than the required number of signatures."

The officials also stated that the process is being carried out carefully, adding, "We are acting inclusively to prevent the party from splitting. The government's goal is to divide the CHP, and this decision is a part of that."

"OUR SOLUTION IS THE BALLOT BOX"

The officials also made evaluations regarding the possibility of being forcibly removed from the headquarters.

"No one should expect us to pack our bags and leave in the face of such an unlawful decision. This would damage the voters' faith in democracy," said the officials, giving the message, "Our solution is the ballot box. There is no other way."

In the evaluation made after the meeting, it was stated that the PM members united in a common view.

The officials evaluated, "Everyone is on the side of legitimacy and democracy. We see this process as an operation to collapse the CHP. There is a complete consensus on standing against this."

PROCESS TO BE EVALUATED WITH 81 PROVINCIAL CHAIRS

On the other hand, it was learned that CHP Chairman Özgür Özel will meet with 81 provincial chairs at the Headquarters on Sunday at 12:00 to evaluate the ongoing process.